The Storm Has Arrived: High on Fire w/ ZETA & High Command Live at The Senate
Grammy award-winning High on Fire is a doom/heavy/stoner/thrash/sludge metal band from Oakland, CA. which formed in 1998 after frontman Matt Pike’s former band Sleep took on a hiatus. High on Fire now consists of Pike (guitar/vocals), Jeff Matz (bass), and Coady Willis (drums). High on Fire has released nine (9) LPs, three (3) Live albums, two (2) EPs, four (4) Splits, ten (10) music videos, and four (4) singles. Their latest release, Cometh the Storm, was released on April 19th, 2024, on MNRK Heavy. Since its release, Cometh the Storm has charted high across the board with the music industry: #5 Current Rock Album, #1 Record label Independent Current Album, #3 Current Hard Music Album, #10 Current Digital Album, and #11 Digital Albums just to highlight a select few. As a longtime fan of High on Fire, Cometh the Storm is moving up to the Top 3 in my favorite albums by High on Fire. Snakes for the Devine (2010) and Blessed Black Wings (2005) would round out my Top 3 albums by High on Fire.
High on Fire announced via their socials on March 19th that they would tour in support of their latest release, and I noticed that The Senate in Columbia, S.C. made the cut for this tour. For opening support, High on Fire enlisted the help of High Command and ZETA. This would be my first time attending a show, and for that matter doing photography at this venue in Columbia, S.C. Now that I think about it, High on Fire would be my first show doing photography in the state of South Carolina. Truthfully, I know I am very fortunate to have this opportunity, and want to do my utmost best!
High Command is a thrash metal/crossover/hardcore punk band from Worcester, MA. that formed in 2016. High Command consists of Kevin Fitzgerald (vocals), Chris Berg (bass), Ryan McArdle (guitar), Razzle (guitar), and Ryan Pitz (drums). They have released two (2) LPs, two (2) EPs, one (1) split video, and one (1) Demo. They are currently signed to Southern Lord Recordings and their latest release is entitled Eclipse of the Dual Moons (2022). I first listened to High Command on the Bandcamp app when they were announced at tour mates. “Merciless Steel” off Beyond the Wall of Desolation and “Imposing Hammers of Cold Sorcery” off Eclipse of the Dual Moons were played during this set so I was happy to hear a few of my favorite tracks from High Command performed live. Their set was just as vicious and full of power as I expected from streaming their music before the show. I hope to see High Command later down the road during one of their headline tours or as opening support for another wicked band.
Check out High Command’s setlist from the second night of this tour below:
· “Omniscient Flail of Infamy”
· “Merciless Steel”
· “Everlasting Torment”
· “Fortified by Bloodshed”
· “Sword of Wisdom”
· “Imposing Hammers of Cold Sorcery”
· “Impaled Upon the Gates”
· “Eclipse of the Dual Moons”
· “Inexorable Darkness”
Show High Command some support and head to their Official Bandcamp page today to grab some merchandise.
Zeta is a Venezuelan post-rock band that was founded in 2003 in Lecheria. Zeta consists of founding members Juan Chi (multiple instruments/vocals) and Dani Debuto (multiple instruments/vocals) with Chino Sandoval (drums) and Antonio Pereira (bass). Zeta has released six (6) LPs, two (2) Live albums, one (1) EP, and two (2) cassettes. I knew that Zeta performed at Grantski Records in Augusta, GA. a few months back, and I knew I should have made that show. Instant FOMO. I knew Zeta and how great this band would be live. But I had no clue of the magnitude until I saw Zeta perform at The Senate. Phenomenal musicianship with an electrifying performance!
You can view Zeta’s setlist from The Senate below:
· “Intro”
· “II Afrontar”
· “III Sufrir”
· “IV Perder”
· “Yo el peor de todos (somos cosmos) XXV”
· “V Completar”
· “La flor del tiempo”
· “VII Magia infinita”
Check out ZETA‘s Official Bandcamp page today and show them some love!
Closing out the evening, High on Fire took the stage at The Senate with a thunderous roar from the pumped-up crowd in attendance. After being warmed up with both High Command and Zeta, you could see the excitement in the crowd’s faces as “Karanlik Yol” played over the venue’s loudspeakers. You could almost feel the anticipation as the crowd wondered what song would kick off their set. In honor of their new release and the first single from Cometh the Storm, the introduction to “Burning Down” riled up the crowd as this was the second time that High on Fire has played this song (or any song off the new album) live for their fans. Trust me when I say, that “Burning Down” was just as ferocious live and left a lasting impression on me. I was happy to see “Come Down Hessian”, “Rumors of War”, “Carcosa”, “Fury Whip”, and one of my all-time favorite High on Fire songs “Snakes for the Divine” on the setlist for this tour.
You can check out High on Fire’s setlist from the second stop of their tour at The Senate in Columbia, SC. below:·
· “Karanlik Yol” (Intro)
· “Burning Down” (2nd time playing live)
· “Turk”
· “Fertile Green”
· “Hung, Drawn, and Quartered”
· “Last”
· “Come Down Hessian”
· “Cometh The Storm” (2nd time playing live)
· “Rumors of War”
· “Carcosa”
· “Fury Whip”
· “Sol’s Golden Curse” (2nd time playing live)
· “Snakes for the Devine”
· “Darker Fleece” (2nd time playing live)
Head to High on Fire’s Official Bandcamp page today and order the new album, Cometh The Storm, today! Or stream some of their music by following this link!
I.C.Y.M.I. Check out my previous review featuring the mighty High on Fire when they headlined the Snowblind Festival at The Masquerade in Atlanta, GA. courtesy of Concerthopper.
You can still catch this tour featuring High on Fire w/ ZETA & High Command at the following dates:
May 13 The Middle East Boston, MA.
May 15 Empire Live Albany, N.Y.
May 16 Grog Shop Cleveland, OH.
May 17 The Magic Stick Detroit, MI.
May 18 Dark Lord Day* Chicago, IL.
*Without ZETA and High Command.
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